This summer, more than 100,000 individuals traveled by boat to the Boston Harbor Islands to engage with the natural and historic wonders of the Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park through public programming and individual access.
More than 40,000 youths, families and seniors traveled throughout the Harbor and to the Islands for free this summer. Through free access initiatives, such as community cruises, Free Ferry Days, two-for-one ferry passes and group ferry passes, local residents and visitors alike were connected to the Harbor Islands.
While the Boston Harbor Islands are both a living piece of the city’s history, as well as an important symbol of environmental resilience, they also serve to connect local communities with their waterfront. Boston Harbor Now, a nonprofit dedicated to providing community access to the Boston Harbor and its Islands, coordinated both family and individual activities throughout the summer. Events ranged from fitness, such as the HarborFit series, to Spectacle Summer Nights, in partnership with L.L.Bean, a premier partner for the #Find Your Park/#Encuentra Tu Parque movement, and support from the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America’s national parks and is the nonprofit partner to the National Park Service.
“Every season we are excited to promote diverse activities on the Harbor Islands, and this year was no exception,” said Kathy Abbott, President and CEO of Boston Harbor Now. “We are so grateful for the partnerships that afford us the ability to continue serving our Boston communities. The Harbor Islands are an incredible public asset, and we love being able to connect people to the fitness classes, entertainment, cultural and educational opportunities on the Islands.”
The season is not over just yet, though. Visitors will have the opportunity to travel to Georges or Spectacle Island one last time before the park closes with a final Free Ferry Day, taking place on Sunday, October 13. During this day-trip, travelers will be able to picnic by the water, take ranger-guided tours and enjoy breathtaking views of the Boston skyline.
Free Ferry Day tickets are given on a first-come, first-served basis, so it is encouraged that visitors arrive early to the event.
Additionally, two-for-one ferry passes are available to anyone with a valid library card at participating public libraries throughout the Greater Boston area. These two-for-one ferry passes are available to use on weekdays and weekends until the season closes on October 12.
Community access to the Islands this summer would not have been possible without the generous support of many waterfront neighborhood community partners.
To learn more about the remaining activities taking place on the Islands this season, visit www.bostonharborislands.org/calendar.
